Anthony Creek (Cade's Cove) Primitive Horse Camp
400+ miles; trail difficulty - advanced
Address: 10042 Campground Drive Townsend, TN 37882
Phone: 865 448 4103
Website: http://www.visitcadescove.com/cades-cove-camping-and-hiking/anthony-creek-campground/
Here's what you need to know:
- Getting here -small windy roads, 9 miles from townsend tn.
- Parking & Trailers - 3 sites, reserve in advance, up to 24' trailer, back in parking on grass/gravel lot.
- Family Friendly - yes
- Trail Difficulty - advanced.
- Trail Info - high elevation changes, rocky, some roads, .
- Amenities - no amenities, short distance from cades cove campground.
- Events & entertainment - no events
- Lodging - trailer parking or tent camping.
- Hookups - no hookups.
- Stalls - stocks for horses.
Other/notable:
From their site:
Anthony Creek Horse Camp offers camping in Cades Cove.
As part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Anthony Creek Horse Camp is set within a pristine valley perfect for outdoor activities. Camping along beautiful Anthony Creek is popular throughout the year. In the spring, the area is decorated with colorful wild flowers, while the orange and auburn hues of fall are an unbeatable sight. In keeping with nature and the history of the area, Anthony Creek Horse Camp features woods camping at its finest. There are no electrical hookups or showers. For more modern camping facilities, the nearby Cades Cove Horse Camp is located within walking distance and includes electrical hookups, flushing toilets and drinking water.
Both campgrounds are located within close proximity to a huge range of outdoor activities. Once a Cherokee Indian hunting ground, Cades Cove was later settled by early pioneers who remained here until the founding of the national park in the mid 20th century. As a result, the Cades Cove area features a unique mix of historical and natural attractions including a number of historic log buildings, churches and mills which can still be viewed. Aside from the historical attraction, the wildlife that roams the region ranges from wild turkeys and raccoons to white-tailed deer, coyotes and black bears. Both Cades Cove and Anthony Creek Campgrounds are considered to be black bear territories by the local parks authority so campers must take the necessary precautions in order not to attract bears into the campgrounds. This means that all food and food preparatory items must be keep in vehicles when not in use and that all waste must be disposed of properly.
With all the natural scenery, hiking is by far the most popular activity in the area. Trails from the campgrounds lead to Bote Mountain and Abram’s Falls as well as a number of other destinations. Along the way, hikers can enjoy the sounds of wild birds fluttering through the forest canopy and the various plant life along the trail. Lucky visitors will encounter wild turkeys or even deer along the way. The creeks and streams that flow through Cades Cove are a popular spot for fly fisherman seeking the area’s native trout.
Camping at both Anthony Creek Horse Camp and Cades Cove Campground is available throughout the year with approximately 160 sites open (3 horse sites at Anthony Creek). Though the facilities are basic, the town of Townsend is located just 9 miles away and offers a full service grocery store and gas station, making the trip more convenient. Whether visiting in the middle of the spring bloom or as the leaves begin the fall, the Great Smoky Mountains offers the finest in American camping experiences.
Contact Details
Campground 865-448-2472
Reservation 877-444-6777
Customer Service 888-445-1474
Backcountry Permits 877-550-6777
With access to several of the Smokies' popular horseback riding trails, equestrians will never be bored. Anthony Creek Trail intersects the campground and takes travelers up Bote Mountain, a 3,000 foot altitude gain. Although the trek is fairly strenuous, the trail is one of the most popular in the area due to the extraordinary views.
For access to the Appalachian trail, visitors can take the Anthony Creek Trail to either the Bote Mountain Trail or the Russell Field Trail, both of which intersect with the Appalachian Trail.
During spring, stopping to see the pink Mountain Laurel blooms on Spence Field is a must for anyone in the area.
The nearby horse stable provides one-hour horseback rides as well as hay rides and carriage rides from March through October, providing recreational activities for the entire family.
Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.
The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park, a few of which are easily accessible from Anthony Creek via the Cades Cove Loop Road.